Household costs and public expenditure on primary education in five low income countries: A comparative analysis

Between 1993 and 1995 UNICEF sponsored the analysis of the cost of primary education in five countries (Burkina Faso, Bhutan, Myanmar, Uganda, and Viet Nam). Some of the results of those studies in terms of the relative importance of private and public costs are presented in this paper. This cost structure is linked to major problem areas in each education system. High total cost countries are found to have low enrolments. High total costs result from high teacher wages relative to per capita income. High private costs induce a large gender gap in outcome indicators, and countries with high-enrolments but low absolute public expenditure on education face serious difficulties maintaining quality and ensuring completion of the primary cycle. Some policies aimed at reducing cost, raising more resources and increasing efficiency are also analyzed. (C) 1998 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.